Theatre Arts Performances

Lighting Design

“The Department of Digital Media and Performing Arts believes that the hands-on, realized
stage experience is just as important as classroom work. The production season is
an active element of Marquette's pedagogical program, where much of the true learning
happens under the close individual guidance of department faculty.” – From the department
mission statement

The lighting design and technology program in the Diederich College’s Department of
Digital Media and Performing Arts continues to grow and advance. Thanks to generous
gifts from the Alvin and Marion Birnschein Foundation and the Evan P. and Marion Helfaer
Foundation, the Helfaer Theatre has undergone a complete replacement and upgrade of
the lighting instrumentation—providing state-of-the-art technology. The new inventory
includes a full replacement of equipment and instrumentation with new ETC lighting
control systems and instrumentation and the addition of Ocean Optics Seachangers and
Robe Colorspot intelligent fixtures.

This all means you gain true hands-on experience in the lighting area. Students serve
as electricians, master electricians, assistant designers and lighting designers on
the departmental productions. Most productions are designed by students, working closely
with faculty. The faculty members guide you in developing your craft and creating
aesthetically brilliant, artistically challenging and dramatically appropriate lighting
in our productions. Our student designers have received a number of KCACTF Certificate
of Merit citations for their lighting design work on productions. Many of our lighting
designers and technicians have graduated and moved on to work with theatre and dance
companies in Chicago, New York and Hollywood.